Getting Purse-onal

One of the best parts about living in Pennsylvania

is going through the changing seasons.

Now that Christmas is over,

I need a purse for the rest of the winter.

I decided to make a new version of my last bag,

this time using the Granite colorway of

Joel Dewberry's Aviary2 fabric line.

{That's right:  I convinced myself that Anita New Tote Bag.}

  

Living in the Pittsburgh area,

we are partial to Black and Gold.

I've used these same prints for other projects,

and I've never been disappointed with the results.

I hope you don't mind if I reminisce for a while

about some of my past finishes.

I just love this trio of modified wristlets

I made from  the Sweet Pea Totes

pattern called Grab and Go Wristlet.

And you know how much I favor the Bow Tucks Bags

by Quilts Illustrated.

These two are especially stunning,

in my humble opinion.

This one features that sparrow I have grown to adore.

This one is more graphic, but just as pretty.

Recently I made this little pouch as a gift.

My niece requested one for Christmas, too,

and I was happy to oblige!

I guess I always knew I wanted a purse of my own

from this fabulous fabric line,

and the time was right for me to go crazy with it!

Here's another view of my new tote bag.

I am so happy with the zippered pocket inside,

with the glamorous gray zipper,

to safeguard my wallet.

Opposite, there is a nifty pocket strip,

to organize my other stuff,

but I couldn't get a great photo.

{So instead I'll show how cute that zippered pocket is...INSIDE.}

Now here's where I get REALLY personal...

look at some of the things I made to put inside my tote.

First off,

I had to make a cover for my brand-spanking-new

ASUS Transformer tablet...

which is nothing short of awesome.

I used my own pattern,

the Linen Pocket Ereader Cover.

I just added a skinny strap for carrying it separately.

{I didn't use linen this time...but I COULD have.}

That little pocket is so nice for holding 

a bit of money and a small notebook,

plus my cleaning cloth, 

for keeping my screen shiny.

Here's how the ereader cover looks on the back,

displaying MORE accessories...

I made a checkbook cover, a business card holder,

and a tissue holder!

Then I needed a sweet pouch to hold the chargers for my

cell phone and tablet.

I used the Noodlehead tutorial for the

Open Wide Zippered Pouch,

in size Small.

There is plenty of room for the chargers and more,

because there's a boxed bottom.

OK, here's one more view of all the things I can carry in this tote bag...

including my umbrella and sunglasses.

{And there's still room for a book and a bottle of water!}

I can't wait until springtime, when I know

Anita Bright New Bag for Spring.

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Mug Rug Swap - Part 2 - From Amy to Amanda

If you're a regular reader, 

you will have already seen my first post about

the little mug rug swap

I've had with Amanda of The Patchsmith!

{Here's the mug rug Amanda created, just for me!}

Now I'd like to share what I sent to Amanda, 

along with a description of the design process.

Once Amanda and I had agreed to swap mug rugs,

I had a brief moment of panic,

as I realized I didn't have any idea what her

personal tastes are.

Amanda was kind enough to take a quiz for me...

20 questions to discover her preferences for colors,

patterns, and themes.

1.      Bold and Bright, or Soft and Sweet?

2.      Black, White, or Black and White?

3.      Whimsical or Practical?

4.      Classic or Modern?

And so on...

So now I had somewhere to begin!

From the quiz, 

it was clear that Amanda has a love for nature and gardens,

flowers and animals.

I pulled out my Botanika fabric 

by Paula Prass for Michael Miller,

and the fussy cutting began.

I used some bright greens...like this one

from Bijoux by Heather Bailey...

and various Black and White prints, to tie it all together.

Here's the final mug rug...called "Unlock Your Dreams".

And the back...more Bijoux by Heather Bailey,

with a little bee from the Botanika print.

{Hello, little Bee.}

I like to use Pellon 987F fusible fleece 

instead of batting,

to get a flat ready-to-quilt mug rug.

For this one I used parallel lines in many directions.

OK...I loved it...but would Amanda?

{Insecurity entered the scene...}

Maybe it was a bit too bright and wild.  

And there wasn't a single FLOWER on the whole mug rug!

Hmmm...on the quiz, there was a question,

"Wild or tame?"

and she answered, "Ooooooooh...BOTH!"

That gave me an idea...make a Tame one, too!

I knew Amanda loves fresh country prints and blue is her favorite color.

This time I started with some pretty blue prints from

Delilah, Darla, and Sugar Hill,

all by Tanya Whelan for Free Spirit.

{Here's a look at Sugar Hill.}

Between those three lines, I used lots of 

florals, polka dots, stripes, and gingham.

And now for the design decisions...

If you check out my blog header, you will see that I've used

one of my mug rugs for the photo.

I love the simple style of this mug rug...a strip of Tumblers,

and lots of modern straight-line quilting in the background areas.

Simple and sweet.

I knew I would have fun re-creating this design for Amanda's mug rug.

This one came together very quickly!

Lots more straight-line quilting again...

And here's the back...

{Or Side #2, if you prefer...}

I'm especially pleased with my machine binding on these two mug rugs!

I've combined what I've seen in several tutorials,

and these projects gave me a chance to practice my own method.

{Would anybody out there like me to post about how I do my machine binding???}

It was time to package up the mug rugs for the mail...
a long trip from Pennsylvania all the way to Southern England!

There was a bit of room in the little box,

so I said goodbye to a little charm pack

of Gypsy Rose by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda.

{I thought these little prints 

would look very sweet in some of Amanda's future projects.}

Now I happen to know that Amanda has a sewing sister,

just as I do!

I thought if one mug rug seemed more suited 
to her sister than to herself,

she could always give it away.

{Well...let's just say Amanda's sister will need to visit her, 

if she ever wants to use one of these mug rugs. :) }

One last thing:

Little did I know that Amanda would receive her package on the day of the Queen's Jubilee!

{How appropriate this little Crown print turned out to be!}

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